Forget About Midnight (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #9)(44)

There was no background noise. He grew so quiet that for a moment I thought he’d hung up. “We might have to. This isn’t about us. Try to remember that. I’ll be at the Druid in an hour. Hope to see you there.”

He did hang up then. I stared at my phone as if that would clarify the situation. What was going on here? Briggs had sounded worried, like he needed my help. Either he was a damn good actor or Juliet was in deep.

I turned to Jez who lounged on the car beside me. “You’re not going alone,” she said.

“Jez, I think I just ruined my sister’s life.” I waited for the emotions to overwhelm me, but I just felt hollow.

She pulled me in for a hug. Despite the stink of cigarettes, her embrace was comforting, calling to my wolf. I hugged her back, terrified of what my vampire antics had done to my sister.

“Juliet made her choice, Lex,” Jez said, pulling back to search my eyes. “She chose to work for the Feds, and she chose to lie to protect you. This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is.” I shot a glance at The Wicked Kiss. “Stay here with Kale, ok? I can handle Briggs.”

She stomped on the butt of her smoke, ignoring my frown. “Screw that. Nobody ever comes alone to these things. You need back up.”

My skin prickled, and I became keenly aware of a familiar vampire energy. I already knew who it was.

“I’ll go with you.” Jenner’s voice came out of the darkness. “She’s right. Nobody goes alone to these things. I’m the only one here who can help you stay in control. So I’ll be your back up.”

“I thought I told you to leave,” I said.

Jenner ambled over with his hands shoved in his pockets and a half-assed shrug. “Yeah, well I’m not really the taking orders kind of guy. Besides, with Arys and Shaz having quality boys’ time, I’m in need of some entertainment.”

“So go entertain yourself,” I said, annoyed that he hadn’t obeyed my command to leave but also intrigued by it.

“Boys’ time?” Jez repeated.

“Just let me back you. It’s not like I have anything else to do in this city. It’s either that or stay here and indulge on blood and sex until I can’t see straight.” Jenner edged toward the door, having piqued his own interest. “Actually, maybe I’ll do just that.”

With a shake of my head, I blew a strand of hair out of my face. “Fine, Jenner. Come with me. But you better stay out of sight unless I need you. After what you and Arys did last night, any sight of you, and Briggs will lose his mind.”

Jez studied me for a moment before nodding. “Be careful, ok? I feel like I just got you back. If the FPA does anything to you, I’ll gut Briggs with my bare hands.”

We shared a laugh that excluded Jenner, leaving him puzzled. Only a shifter knew how it felt to plunge claws deep within the belly of deserving prey. Nothing else felt quite so satisfying.

“Don’t let Kale come after me,” I said as she walked away. “Tell him I’ll meet him at his place by sunrise.”

I turned to Jenner, ready to give him a pre-trip scolding. He was already grinning as if expecting it. So I held my tongue instead. I hoped like hell that Briggs wasn’t setting a trap for me in retaliation for the one Arys had set for him. But with my sister’s freedom on the line, I had no choice but to find out.

Chapter Twelve

I sat in the Charger staring at The Druid. Nothing appeared to be amiss.

“So that’s it?” Jenner asked. “You just want me to stay here and watch the place?”

“Yep, that’s it. I know you thrive on action and drama, but let’s try to keep things quiet here tonight.” I watched a group of guys come pouring out of the bar, laughing and shouting over one another.

“Boring.”

Jenner’s remark reminded me of Kale. He used to thrive on excitement, seeking it out in every hunt. Before I made him crazy. Maybe the two of them would get along ok in Vegas with Arys and me out of the picture. Ouch. That hurt. I was so not ready for this.

“Jenner, when is your flight home?” I didn’t want to know how much time I had left with Kale, didn’t want the torment of a countdown to goodbye. But I couldn’t not ask.

“The night after tomorrow. I suppose I should call and book another ticket.” He looked at me, but I avoided his gaze. “You’re not ok with this, are you?”

“No,” I said. “I’m very much not ok with Arys making these kinds of decisions for Kale and me.”

Jenner nodded and fiddled with the radio dials. “I get that. He’s a stubborn motherf*cker. But he wants what’s best for you. You know that, right?”

I killed the engine and swung a vicious glare his way. “Well, here’s the problem with that. Arys doesn’t get to decide what’s best for me. I’m done with having that fight with him. Either he gets it, or we have a problem.”

The moment grew tense as I found myself confessing a deep, inner need to someone I had little to no emotional connection with. As weird as it was to talk this way to Jenner, it felt good to say it to someone outside my personal circle.

“You two already have a problem,” Jenner finally said. “I’d start by working on the maniacal impulses you both seem to have while apart. Although I doubt that being together would curb that at this point. Anyway, I can’t watch your back from here. I need to get closer.”